Connecticut Against Gun Violence proposes strict legislative agenda

FAIRFIELD -- Connecticut Against Gun Violence has proposed a tough legislative agenda that would expand the definition of an assault weapon and ban them from the state, including all such existing firearms.

CAGV also in its proposal would not grandfather in all large capacity magazines of more than seven rounds that, along with the assault weapons, would have to be destroyed, turned over to police or taken out of Connecticut.

New York just adopted a law that reduces the largest capacity magazine from 10 bullets to seven bullets.

Connecticut Against Gun Violence is a nonprofit formed in 1993 to advocate for legislation to enhance gun safety.

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Ron Pinciaro, executive director of CAGV, said his organization wants expanded permitting and registration of weapons, as well as background checks on all firearms, including those sold privately and at gun shows.

"This comprehensive package of common sense measures is the most ambitious proposal in our state's history," he said in a statement.

The proposals are in response to the murder of 20 first-graders and six staff members at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14 by lone gunman, Adam Lanza, 20, who sprayed his victims with between 3 and 11 bullets from a Bushmaster AR-15 semiautomatic rifle owned by his mother, whom he killed before blasting his way into the school.

The massacre has opened up a national debate on reducing gun violence across the country, led by President Barack Obama, as well as proposals for increasing school safety and increasing access to mental health services.

Pinciaro said the Supreme Court, which overturned the handgun ban in Washington, D.C., reaffirmed the ability to regulate firearms.

"While we respect the rights of gun owners and we accept the Second Amendment as the law of the land, we are also mindful of what Supreme Court Justice Scalia stated in the syllabus of the Supreme Court's brief on the issue: 'it is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever, in any manner whatsoever, and for whatever purpose," Pinciaro said.

Robert Crook, who heads the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen, could not be reached for comment, but he generally has proposed better access to mental health treatment over more gun restrictions.

Other changes CAGV recommended include: registering handguns annually, applying an annual fee and a yearly background check; requiring owners to stipulate that the guns are still in their possession or explain how the gun was transferred to another person; requiring safety inspection every three years.

CAVG would make gun owners liable for negligent storage if any person gains access to firearms and injures himself or another person or causes damage to property. The violation would be a Class D felony.

It would also ban the right of way for transportation of firearms and ammunition bought over the Internet.

As others have proposed, CAVG wants Connecticut to tax ammunition sales and require a license/permit to purchase any gun or ammunition. It also wants the state to restrict handgun sales to one gun per month.

MARCH FOR CHANGE, founded by Nancy Lefkowitz and Meg Stauton, both of Fairfield, is a bi-partisan grassroots group, that issued a statement in support of CAGV's agenda.

MARCH FOR CHANGE has also scheduled a Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, rally at the Capitol in Hartford, to lobby for gun violence reduction.

"Our hearts are broken and we demand change. We can no longer be passive participants in this process." Lefkowitz said in a statement. "We aren't politicians, we are concerned citizens and we have had enough."

Staunton agreed with her co-founder.

"We have reached a tipping point and it's time we let our legislators know where we stand. The Feb. 14th rally in Hartford is one opportunity to bring together individuals, families, communities and organizations in Connecticut who want change in our gun safety legislation. CAGV is recommending common sense and reasonable changes to our laws and we support their efforts," Staunton said.

She promised that her organization "will be respectful but relentless in the pursuit of safer gun laws in Connecticut."

Mary Isaac, board president of CAGV, said the organization looks forward to working with lawmakers whose leaders have indicated there is a "bipartisan mood" to improve gun safety. "It's time the needs of the people come before the needs of the NRA (National Rifle Association) leadership," he said.

Pinciaro hoped that legislative action would be swift. A task force established by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will issue its initial report by March 15, while a legislative group hopes to reach some consensus by the end of February.

"Extended delays will endanger the passage of the type of gun violence prevention measures that will make our communities safe," Pinciaro said.